Two Shropshire care homes praised by health inspectors

Inspectors visited Elms House, in Shrewsbury, at the end of October, while they visited Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home, in Minsterley, at the start of November.

Today, the Care Quality Commission reports released following the visits have rated the services as good in all five areas, including safety, how caring they are and the management of the homes.

Hillcrest Manor was last inspected in September 2015, when it was told it needed to make improvements in several areas including safeguarding, ensuring people had dignity and improving the training and competency of staff.

The CQC report said the home had displayed clear improvement when it was inspected last month. It said staff were able to describe the action they would take if they had any concerns and had a good understanding of the different types of abuse.

Risks to people's safety were assessed and minimised and there were enough staff to support people safely. Medicines were managed safely and inspectors found residents' mental capacity to make decisions had been assessed and appropriate Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications had been made.

Mandy Fraser, manager of Hillcrest Manor, said: "I am really pleased. because the staff have been very supportive.

"The relatives have also been great. As manager I am very proud of the whole team.

"It has taken lots of hard work but moving forward we know where we are and how we can refocus and where we feel we can improve even further."

"Hopefully it will also help us recruit more local staff which can be very beneficial to the service.

Elms House provides accommodation for people who require nursing or personal care for up to 14 adults living with associated mental health problems.

The home provides a step-down service from hospital for people who are ready to move on to more independent living as part of their rehabilitation programme. The service was specifically praised for its safety.

The inspection report said residents told inspectors they felt safe with the staff.

One person told inspectors: "Since I've been here I have really come on.

"They are always there to help you. I have security and it's like a home and I feel safe living here."

Another person said: "It's lovely, brilliant, they are there for you if you need them. You feel safe here. You can turn to anyone and all are helpful."